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PUBLIC ORDER
honesty among young people and to reinforce the message associated with the Towards A Fuller Life programme. To monitor public response to the commission and perception of its work, a mass survey was carried out in October. This was the third study of its kind since the commission was established in 1974.
Government Laboratory
The Government Laboratory provides a comprehensive forensic science service to law enforcement authorities, including the Royal Hong Kong Police Force, the Customs and Excise Department and the Independent Commission Against Corruption. During the year, the laboratory continued to be heavily involved in the scientific investigation of a wide variety of crimes. A specialist unit is concerned with general forensic science where laboratory examination of exhibits from many scenes of crimes are coupled with visits by scientists to the scenes. Forensic blood grouping, questioned document examination and arson investigations feature prominently in this work. Other units are involved in the examination of narcotics, scheduled poisons, and organs and body fluids in cases where the cause of death is unknown. Research commenced during the year into the identification of gunshot residues.
The Customs and Excise Department relies traditionally on the Government Laboratory to provide analytical and advisory services in revenue protection. Tobacco products, liquors, denatured spirits, and treated diesel oils are regularly examined while a close watch is maintained for adulterated products, particularly for liquors such as brandy. The staff of the laboratory was involved in work on the metrication of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance during 1982, including projects on behalf of commercial organisations.
In addition, the laboratory carries out extensive urinalysis in support of the methadone maintenance and detoxification programmes.
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Fight Crime Committee
The Fight Crime Committee is chaired by the Secretary for City and New Territories Administration and attended by senior government and unofficial members. During the year, the committee spearheaded the efforts of the government and the community in helping the police to combat crimes, and promoted community awareness and involvement in crime prevention measures. District Fight Crime committees form a network and are the main organising agencies for Fight Crime activities, providing frequent contact between the police and the public. While the police representatives keep the district committees well briefed on local crime situations, the committee members' perspective on local conditions and problems in turn assists the police.
Correctional Services Department
In February 1982, the Prisons Department was renamed the Correctional Services De- partment in order to reflect more accurately the role of the department and its many different functions.
The Commissioner of Correctional Services (formerly the Commissioner of Prisons) is responsible for the overall administration of 19 institutions, a half-way house and the Staff Training Institute, with an establishment of 4 888 uniformed staff and 464 non-uniformed staff. During 1982, the average daily penal population was 7 328, compared with 6912 in 1981 and 6 499 in 1980. In addition, detention facilities were provided in 13 of the institutions for Vietnamese refugees and illegal immigrants, whose numbers detained by the department had risen to 3 513 by the end of the year.